About

Summary

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Distance

3.0 miles

Destination Distance From Downtown

4.8 miles

Difficulty

2 of 5 diamonds

Time To Complete

1 hours

1-1.5 hours

Seasonality

All Seasons

Dog Friendly

No

Fees Permits

No

Review

Intro

Cove Creek trail is a great loop to take kids and new riders on. The climb to the top is relatively easy up a gravel road, and the downhill is never steep. It is an old rail grade which is not technical, but more experienced riders will still enjoy it if they pedal fast. There are great views of Looking Glass Rock while climbing, and it's easy to set a social pace up this road. You might be able to see rock climbers on this sunny pitch if you look hard.

What Makes It Great

From the North Carolina State Fish Hatchery, ride left out of the main parking lot back onto the road. When the road forks, make the right turn up the gravel. This is FS 475 B, and will take you past many campgrounds which are open year round. It is also the main climbing access to the Looking Glass rock, so the road will have some traffic on it. Your climb will be about 45 minutes to an hour long at a moderate pace. You will make the first left turn you come to, FS 225. This road is open to traffic as well, and dead ends eventually. Make a left turn on to FS 225-B, at the gate. From hear you will the sign for Cove Creek trail (#340).

The trail parallels a hiking trail, and they cross over each other a couple of times. Make sure to stay on the main biking trail. There are challenging log crossings and fun berms headed back to the bottom, and the trail spits you out in a group campground. Follow the road out and cross the creek. Wen you pass through the gate, make a left on FS 475. Take your first right on to Davidson River trail (#650) and follow it back to the Fish Hatchery parking lot.

Who is Going to Love It

This is an easy 3-mile ride that's great for kids and newcomers to the sport. It's not very technical and there isn't much elevation change.